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Shacka What can i do ? please help


Shacka

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First SORRY for my bad English, iam from Germany and my Englsih is terrible so i try with Translator to write.

 

 

Hello,iam after 4 years of paroxetine fed up , likewise also told my therapist with whom I am already 2 1/2 years, now it finally reaches to take the medication .Well said easily if one has no anxiety disorder .Nevertheless, I kept it bravely till now.I started with 30mg and have dosed me really into crumbs wise steps to 20mg down , think those were 1- 2mg per week I 'm down , then arrived at 20mg I left this time 3 weeks so , but was not with me complacent and spent a week reduced to about 18mg and then to 12mg, which was not crumble so easy that I said to myself come on now I'll ne now so ne three quarters 15mg tablet , I have now left about 2 months so .Well on Thursday from 3 clock I got such a strong fear , also in the evening by 22 clock , I then get a panic attack I thought now everything starts over again .Last four Days the whole days already from the stand only fear fear fear , I can not think of anything else , because for me since the beginning of the main symptom is the feeling of fear . I can do nothing i fear everywhere, also at home.On Wednesday I have taken 20mg tablet, because I do not know what I should do , I have the whole day these strong fears not given before . And strangely enough, after 2 months on 15mg ? is the normal for the settle so late? Or should i go u to my start 30mg ?Short info still to me:i'm Daniel , 29 years old, married , a 5 year old daughter, for 2 years in psychotherapy and have even 2 years ahead of me with my therapist .

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Shacka, welcome. I am sorry you are feeling so sick. 

 

I have moved your post to the introductions forum. This will be your journal and you can 

post here with your progress.

 

 You took paroxetine 30mg for 4 years, then decreased by 1-2 mg per week until 20mg.

Stayed at 20mg for 3 weeks, then  18mg, 12mg  then 15 mg for 2 months.? Is this correct? 

 

Why did you decide to go back to 20mg after 2 months? Did the fear get worse after 20mg? 

 

I am a little confused if the fear started before you went back to 20mg or if it started after. 

It seems you have tapered too fast but you can feel better again. 

 

It would help if you could put your medication details in your signature line. Heres how to do it. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Someone will be along very soon to advise you, we will help all we can. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Shacka.

 

Are you feeling better at 20mg paroxetine?

 

If so, we suggest you allow your system to stabilize at that level for at least a month, then you might consider very gradually reducing.

 

Read this topic about tapering paroxetine: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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after 2 Month on 15mg i feel so bad, i fear the hole day, so i go now back to 20mg, my question is, how long it takes i feel better ? or should i go back to my startdosis from 30mg ?

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  • Moderator Emeritus

In general, most people would probably feel better between 3 days and 6 weeks.  If it was going to work, I would think you would feel a little better within 2 weeks.

 

As long as its not making you feel worse, then give it more time.

 

I hope you improve quickly.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

you were going down to quickly.This is why you started feel so bad.

 

since you were already on 15 mg,there is no need to go to 30.Give yourself time to stabilise at 20.the symptoms will not go away immediately but bit by bit you will start feeling better.It will also probably happen that you will feel better and then unwell again.This is called windows and waves and it is normal.

 

When you stabilise,in other words when your symptoms go away,you can start reducing but by much slower rate than you did before:10 % every month and not every week...but even in that you will have to listen to your body and not follow a strict external programme.

 

From my own experience,I can say we are lucky to be on this forum and help each other.

 

So everything will be fine.It just takes time and endurance.

 

Best,

bubble

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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Thanks for the Answer, i feel so terrible i take 30mg today, i can do nothing i have panic the whole day and i mean panic 24 hours.

 

Hope it works fast, then i will try in a few month again.

 

Can anybody calm me and say how long it takes to feel better ?

 

in the world wide web i only see a few days, a few weeks, but what is A FEW ?

 

And is it normal the strong fear comes 2 Month i was allready on 15mg ?

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  • Moderator Emeritus

if my experience can help,I was on 5 mg of a drug called Lexapro.when i stopped taking it, i immediately felt bad but tolerable.as the time went,I started feeling worse and worse and had an awful panick attack some 40 days after.

 

I was suffering like that for 10 days before taking 5 mg again.I was also advised to try with less,but like you I was too scared and it was too awful.

 

I immediately felt difference,and a bit better.but improvement was very gradual-after around one month I had less symptoms.but they were coming in waves and windows.What I read about it hear helped me a lot not to be scared.

 

You will feel better little by little.In my experience,feeling good was followed by feeling bad again and then I would again be better.I read here it was a sign of recovery so I was much less scared.

 

I know this will not sound good:2 months after reinstating I still don't feel close to how I felt before stopping the drug but I also feel a lot better than 2 months ago.

 

Maybe you could think about taking omega 3 fish oil and magnesium to relieve your symptoms.

 

Don't think about future and how long it will take.Focus on every day separately,even every hour.Just tell yourself it will pass because it will and you came to the right place where people will help you a lot.

 

we are here for each others ;)

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • Administrator

Shacka, 30mg may be too much for your nervous system now. Please try 20mg instead.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Alt,

 

I have already taken 30mg 11 hours ago, in Germany is now 10.00pm and i take it 11.00am

 

I hope i feel in the next days better now.

 

Iam scared the hole day,  my thoughts revolve only around the fear

 

greetz

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We all understand how the fear and panic feel.  So sorry you are going thru this.  Do not worry about English, we understand you and have all gone thru what you are going thru now.  You are not alone.

 

Post here each day if you can, so you can have someone to talk to about it.

 

Going back up to 20mgs. like Alto suggested sounds like a good move.  I did take paroxetine (paxil).  When I lowered the dose and became full of fear and panic and I went back to my original dose it took me about a week to ten days to feel better again.

 

I do hope you feel better tomorrow and each day.....

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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Thx Nikki,

 

i dont know how i say in English but that what you write is really sweet. You make me feel better for 5 Minutes ;)

 

You are the first say it takes a week to 10 days to feel better, all other say ewerytime i takes A FEW Days (but what is few)

 

 

greetz

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Hello,have just phoned my doctor , because I do not get out of sheer fear.He said after I said only time panic and sell , I do not need more talk , it is absolutely typical of the time fear arises settle when tapering off / on paroxetine , as the level goes down after few weeks not immediately but slowly (delayed withdrawal symptoms )Also, he said I should now take 30mg again and as written above , he also said because it is a reflection of drug level and no miracle pill it takes about 10 days until I noticed an improvement , because I have to get through this he meant.Even with my therapist I was on the phone today , also for the reason that I am too afraid to go to him . He told me the same exact though he knows not very good with medication , but only think the logic he said , makes the whole sense and besides he had noticed in the hours with nothing to him that it could be a setback ( 'm for 2 years with him, he knows me so well)greetings Daniel

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Daniel, welcome to our group! I'm sorry you're feeling bad!

 

There is no way anyone can say exactly how long it takes to feel stable. It is different for most people.

 

For instance, I left off a med for two weeks, then I took a small amount one evening and felt 'better' within one hour but it took many months before I felt a lot better. Some people feel a lot better in one or two weeks.

 

We are all so different from one another that there is no way to put a definite time period that it will take for you to stabilize.

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Yes, both going on and off SSRI's can cause anxiety- even upping or decreasing the dose.  I myself got EXTREME anxiety from the SSRI Celexa.  I had to stop it immediately, and I immediately felt better.  That's probably the exception though, not the norm.  Just know that BOTH increasing and decreasing your dose too quickly can make the symptoms worse.  Good luck to you.  Keep us posted. 

insomnia, anxiety, depression- since childhood

lyme disease, dysautonomia, chiari malformation- dx 4/1997

nortriptyline- 75mg since childhood

clonazepam- 3mg since 4/1997

trazodone-100mg since 4/2013, now tapering

rotating antibiotics and antimalarials for lyme disease

midodrine- 10mg for dysautonomia

repeated skull surgeries for chiari malformation

 

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  • Administrator

If you continue to feel that 30mg is too much for you, please consider taking 20mg.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Little translation offer :-)

German:

Hallo Shaka,

verstehst du alles, was dir hier an Infos gegeben wurde oder soll ich dir noch etwas übersetzen?

Du kannst mir auch eine direkte Nachricht schicken.

Viele Grüße!

Sly ;)

 

English:

Hi Shaka,

are you understanding every information you got from here or do you want me to translate something?

You can also send me a direct message.

Best wishes!

Sly ;)

My dog:
15663989yz.gif
My current condition: :)

My method of measuring beads: http://survivinganti...-counting-them/
My thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4856-sly-on-cymbalta-and-tapering/?p=61238

 

2013 - 28. December - Cymbalta 2 mg

2013 - 16. December - Cymbalta 5 mg - 12 days

2013 - 02. December - Cymbalta 8 mg - 14 days

2013 - 17. November - Cymbalta 12 mg - 15 days

2013 - 28. October - Cymbalta 16 mg - 20 days

2013 - 11. October - Cymbalta 22 mg - 17 days
2013 - 19. September - Cymbalta 30 mg - 22 days
2013 - 26. August - Cymbalta 40 mg - 24 days
2013 - 04. August - Cymbalta 50 mg - 22 days

S T A R T Tapering Cymbalta 60 mg - after 88 days

:wacko:Constant side effects: Libido, sometimes slight headache, muscle stiffness, sometimes slight tinnitus, weight gain.
2013 - June / July- Cymbalta 60 mg Ongoing stable situation.

2013 - 18. May - Cymbalta 60 mg Effect: Depression is gone! Anxiety is getting significantly better!

2013 - 08. May - Cymbalta 60 mg Incease the dose of 30 mg in the morning with an evening dose of another 30 mg.Again symptoms when inceasing the dosage but weaker this time.

2013 - 01. May - Cymbalta 30 mg Starting with 30 mg for 7 days with very bad side effects for about 4 days.

2013 - Mid April Diagnosis: Stress related nervous breakdown with following depression and anxiety.

I am: male, 52 years old, 85 kg heavy, 1,88 m tall, runner, non smoker, living in Germany

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  • Administrator

Thank you so much, Sly, for helping Shaka.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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4. Day with again 30mg

 

i think i  feel little bit better, wake up with strong fears but i was with my wife today outside in a market to buy santa claus gift for my daughter, and it was okay, not good but okay. Hope the fear at home will in the next days better.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you for letting us know and happy about the small but very important improvement.

 

Not changing doses, and not going up and down is most important because it makes it possible for our nervous systems to stabilise...

 

best,

bubble

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I am glad you are a little better today  Shacka,

and hope that tomorrow will be even better for you. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Hey there,I have a question.yesterday after about 2 hours of tablet-taking a little better, today after 2 hours is better.BUT why is the whole thing in the morning and 2 hours to reach tablets so enormous?is it possible after taking tablet it takes 2 hours to get in the brain and then i feel better and because i take again 30mg the last 5 days it cant hold the mirror over night and then in the morning i feel bad.greetings Daniel

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  • Administrator

Yes, it can take a couple of hours for paroxetine to increase in your bloodstream.

 

It will take at least 4 days for the 30mg to reach steady state -- a fairly even amount in your bloodstream 24 hours a day.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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The last three days have become better and better, I'm at least once glad that I've phases where I can breathe and not this enormous period where panic had nothing left.Today I ponder unfortunately a bit much and think to myself what is again is worse? but oh well guess that's part of the one after so ner extremely week also thinks that.As I read on the internet seems full effect so come at a again higher dosage re only in 2-4 weeks, is that right?greetings Daniel

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Daniel, it's good that you are feeling better now. It would be best for you to stay at 30mg

for a month or 2, this will allow your Nervous system  to become stable again. It may take longer,

each person is different, some take less time than others to get stable. 

 

When the time is right you can start to taper again slowly. 

 

Do not think about it too much, and take care when looking on the internet.  There are many websites that 

have different ideas and different ways of tapering so can be  confusing. 

 

I hope you continue to feel better, it's good to see you are not feeling fear now. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Daniel, welcome. I am sorry for your suffering.

 

I am just going to repeat a few things others have said here.

 

1.  Once we become unstable from these drugs it can take a long time to get stable again. During this time it is important not to change drugs, go up and down on dosages, et cetera. To become stable we need to keep things the same and allow our brains to heal, balance, and adapt to the chemicals we are putting in them. You would probably have stabilized just fine on 20 mg within a month or two or three, but now that you have gone up to 30 mg I don't recommend dropping it again for a few months, because your nervous system is already struggling with the changes you have already made and it would probably not respond well.

 

2. Given the history you describe I would say, stay on the same dose for at least three months before starting to think about reducing it.

 

3.  You can taper safely. You will just need to go much more slowly than you did before. You will be able to do it but you will need to be very patient.

 

4. Most of what you read on the Internet, and for that matter most of what doctors believe (because they are taught about drugs by the manufacturers of those drugs) is not going to be accurate or helpful. This forum is actually the most accurate collection of information about tapering ADs that I have seen anywhere.

 

Again, welcome! 

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Also, Daniel, do not be alarmed if you have another bad day. This is normal. It will pass. Don't react, don't change things again. Just hang in there.

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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Also, Daniel, do not be alarmed if you have another bad day. This is normal. It will pass. Don't react, don't change things again. Just hang in there.

 

 

Hey Thx for this answer, today is so a day, its a bad day, feel more fear as the last 3 days, but its okay i dont change dose. And will hope its tomorrow better again. My Friend says allways one step back is two steps forward.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It will get better Daniel, remember that your fear isn't real, it is there and it is hard to cope with

but it is withdrawal, not you. Tomorrow is another day and I hope it is a little better for you. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

hello,

did you also give modest times I'm out of the deep hole out, but unfortunately I still have 24 hours fear, though no panic any more but its just this constant fear and was drives me crazy. I hope it still comes from the withdrawal and I just have to just wait the back up meter better uses.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Nice to hear from you!

 

yes, it is definitely withdrawal. When we are on meds for many years and then stop them too suddenly, our brain suffers a lot and it takes some time to recover.

 

It is very individual so it's impossible to say how long it will take in your case. I t depends on how long you have been taking the meds, how many you have changed, how quickly you decreased.

 

Time and stability (not changing anything) allow our brains to recover.

 

Are you taking any fish oil and magnesium? Magnesium helps with anxiety.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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